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Hawaii has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States, with miles of tropical beaches along emerald green waters and a variety of other natural wonders, from active volcanoes to seaside lava beds and blowholes. Hawaii is a great spot for anyone who loves the ocean, with spectacular surf and ample fishing and snorkeling opportunities. To make the most of your stay in Hawaii, timing is critical.

Families

Summer is the busiest time of year for most vacation destinations, and Hawaii certainly is no exception. But summer also happens to be when the weather in Hawaii is at its best, and all the attractions and tours are open. To make the most of a summer vacation in Hawaii, try to travel in the early part of the season, from mid-June through mid-July, when summer school typically is in session. Avoid holidays like the Fourth of July, and pick weekdays to tour popular attractions like Pearl Harbor on Oahu or the Road to Hana on Maui.

Escaping the Cold

Hawaii has great weather, year-round, and while November through March is Hawaii's so-called "rainy season," showers rarely last more than a few hours before the sun returns to the skies -- which makes Hawaii a great vacation spot for visitors from the northern parts of the United States eager to escape the cold and snow. Daytime temperatures are generally in the mid 60s F. Traveling to Hawaii during the winter also lets you escape the crowds that descend on the islands each summer, although the state's popularity as a winter getaway also has seen prices rise to near-summer levels at resorts, hotels and even rent-a-car agencies.

Typical Weather

Honolulu, Hawaii in

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The temperature in Honolulu, Hawaii in February tends to be very predictable, so you can generally count on the forecast and travel light.

The temperature in Honolulu, Hawaii in February is somewhat unpredictable, so be on the safe side and prepare for a variety of conditions.

The temperature in Honolulu, Hawaii in February is highly unpredictable, so use the forecast as a guide, but be ready for anything!

Bargains

Once school starts again, the crowds thin out, and Hawaiian vacations after Labor Day through September, October and even November offer visitors the rare opportunity to tour the islands without having to endure long lines at popular attractions and traffic jams on the Road to Hana and other popular drives. The best travel bargains also are typically found in the fall.

Quiet

Springtime in Hawaii is even less crowded than fall, and visitors get the added bonus of watching the island's vegetation spring to life in colorful bursts of bloom. April and May are something of a tourists' no-man's land in Hawaii -- the visitors who come to Hawaii to escape the chill winters of their hometowns have left, while the families with school-age kids have yet to arrive. Like fall, spring also offers plenty of travel bargains and discounts. The tourism industry, after all, lives and breathes by the law of supply and demand.

Worst Times

According to the Perfect Hawaiian Vacation, the islands are overrun with tourists the last week in April and early May, "Golden Week" in Japan, when most businesses are closed and travelers from Japan head in droves to Hawaii. If the Pro Bowl is played in Oahu, as it often is, another bad time to visit is that week, after the Super Bowl. Other bad times: in early December, when Oahu hosts the Honolulu Marathon, and early October, when the Big Island hosts the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona.

References

About the Author

Thomas K. Arnold is publisher and editorial director of "Home Media Magazine" and a regular contributor to "Variety." He is a former editorial writer for U-T San Diego. He also has written for "San Diego Magazine," "USA Today" and the Copley News Service. Arnold attended San Diego State University.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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K., Thomas. "The Best Time to Travel to Hawaii." Travel Tips - USA Today, http://traveltips.usatoday.com/time-travel-hawaii-12229.html. Accessed 17 February 2018.

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Hawaii, Big Island, computer image generated using TruFlite

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